Gate-operating mechanism for meal-cookers and analogous apparatus.



v M. W. PAHERTY. GATE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ME-AL 0001mm AND ANALOGOUS APPARATUS.

APPLIUATLONFILBD JUNE 8,1914.

1, 1 1 2, 1 28, Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

2 SHEETS-*SHEET 1 V MAAWM M. W. FAHERTY.

GATE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR MEAL COOKERS AND ANALOGOUS APPARATUS.

v APPLICATION FILEDJUNE 8,1914.

1,1 12,128, Patented Sept.29,1914.

7' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. ,ifiigv4 3 by dgfi or'n e38.

ASSIGNOR TO THE Earner:- 01

MILL MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PIQUA, OHIO.

1 MIC HAELW. IEAHERTY, or MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,

' eArE-orEmrrNo MECHANISM FOR To all whom it may concerns I 1 Be it'known that 1, MICHAEL W. FAHERTY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State 5 of Tennessee, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Gate-Operating Mechanisms for Meal-Cookers and Analogous Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a speci fication. This'invention relates tocookers for oil- 1 bearing meal, driers, and analogous apparatus having a plurality of chambers which are arranged to permit the material to dischar fromchamber to chamber and are 1 provided with gates which control the dclivery of the material-from one chamber to the next, in such a way as to'regulate the quantity of the material in the several chambers. and the length oftime required for its passage through the apparatus.

' More particularly the invention relates to improvements in apparatus, such, for example,as' disclosed inPatent No. 1,091,055, ranted to A. W. French March 24, 1914, 25.. m which the gate for one chamber is closed by'a float or device actuated by the material accumulating in the next, or receiving chamber, and is secured, when closed, by a latch which is released to permit the gate to open. One object of this invention is to produce an efiicient and practical gate-operating mechanism of novel construction which will close the 'gate promptly and positively when 'the material reaches a predetermined depth 31;, in the receiving chamber, and which can be readily ad'usted to regulate,-as may be desired, the epth to which the material is permitt'ed to accumulate in any one or more'of the chambers.

.41 z Another object of the invention is to con- :struct'the gate-operating mechanism so that when the material reaches a predetermined de' th in achamber, the gate controlling the do ivery of material thereto will be closed as by the motion of the material in the cham- .ber-caused by the stirrers without the further delivery of material to the chamber.

:In-the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 v 'is a fragmentary elevation of 'a meal cooker showing operating mechanism embodying the 'i'nvention for two of the gates thereof. Fig. 2 is 'a fragmentary side elevation thereof Fig. '3 is a sectional elevation thereof in li'ne:3-3, Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a fragmentarymeotional plan view thereof.v

MEAL-COOKERS AND ANALOGOUS APIABATUS.

Specification 0! Letters Patent.- Application filed June 8, 1914. Serial No. 843,633. 1

- Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation thereof in line- Patented Sept. 29,1914.-

Fig. 4. Fig. 6-is a sectional elevation of the operating mechanism .in line 6'-6,- Fig. 5. p p Y A represents a portion of an. oil-meal cooker or analogous apparatus comprising a series of chambers 1, 2, 3, arranged so that the material can discharge by gravity. from one chamber to'another through discharge openings a in the bottoms of the chambers.

There may be any desired number of the chambers, and they may be of any suitable construction. The apparatus illustrated in ,the drawings is intended for cooking oilbearing meal preparatory to expressing the oiltherefrom, and the side walls a and bot- 'toms a of the chambers are made hollow to narily used in meal cookers, which rotates receive steam for cooking the material.

B indicates an arm or sweep, such as ordl- 7b in the lower portion of each chamber-for st rring the material. The rotation of this stirrer produces a sort of wave or ridge on the surface of the-material which follows the motion of the stirrer, and is made use of, as hereinafter explained, in closing the gate for the discharge opening.

The material can be discharged or with-' drawn from the bottom chamber 3 in any convenient way, depending upon the use for which the apparatus is intended. In the case of oil-meal cookers the material isordi- 'narily withdrawn from the bottom chamber intermittently in measured quantities suit gate able for forming cakes for introduction into the oil expressing presses. 1 Each of the other 2 chambers is provided with a gate C, controlling the di charge opening a thereof, which is preferalcily hinged soas toopen downwardly into the next chamberbelow. As in said patented apparatus, each gate is swung upwardly by a device which floats or rides on the material accumulating in the chamher into which the gate opens, and closes the when the material reaches a predetermined depth, and the gate remains closed until a latch which holds the same is re leased. In the present apparatus, however," the float or closing device actuates the gate through the medium of a ratchet or similar mechanism which permits the float to oscillate relative to the gate and close the gate by f 4 successive or intermittent movements: In

the constructionshown in the drawings, the gate 0 is; secured to a hollow hinge shaft D which is supported and adapted to turn in a bearing (1 on the bottom'of the chamber which it controls and in' abe'aring' plate d secured exteriorly on the side of the apparatus. a I -.1 E represents the'latchj which is adapted 'to engage teeth f on :the-. edge ofza ratchet disk Fcjfixe'd t'o the outer"end*ofthe hinge shaft D for. holding the'gate in the position to which it is raised by'zthe closingdevice. The latch E shown is. suitably pivoted at one end by a screw 1', "to the bearing plate d and is heldbygravity in contact with the edge of the ratchet .disk F. .Side-plates f secured to the latch and straddling the edge of the ratchet disk hold the latch in roper position over the disk; The ratchet disk F is provided witha number'of the teeth 1, instead of with only one as in said patented apparatus, and the latch-"engages one tooth after another asjthe gate is raised and thus acts to hold the gate in-the. successively higher positions 'towhich it is lifted by the closing device. Alatch' device ofany other construction adapted to thus retain the gate in the successive positions ;to which it is lifted could be-employed. G represents. the closing device or .fioat which rides -or floats on the material accumulating in'one chamber ff or 1 closing the ate of the chamber above.. This float or device is preferably fixed to theinner end of a shaft 9 that extends lengthwise through the hollow hinge shaft D for the gate and is providedatits outer end. with a pawl carrier or arm H on vwhich is mounted a pawl'I' adaptedsto engage-teeth .z' on the ratchet disk F, yherebythe upward. movement'of the cloflgtdevice G, causedby the accumulating material, iswtransmitted to the gate for. swinging it upw ardly. T-he pawl carrier'H is pre erably secured to the shaft g by a setscrew h or other' neans permittinganl angular adjustment of the pawl carrier on the shaft. 7 The pawl shown is'of the-pivoted gravity-actuated sort which has I a weighted end by which it-is caused to en- I gage theteeth of the'disk -F,'andthe pivot i of the pawl is adapted to be secu in any one of a series of holes '1? in the 'pawl carrier for adjusting the pawl'on the pawl carrier to regulate the closing of the gate as hereinafter explained, but an adjustable pawl of any' other suitable sort could be employed. I v 3 .K. represents 1 a. curved plate or shield which surrounds a portion of the edge of the ratchet disk F and on which the pawl. is'adapted to slide, for 'holdinglthe pawl out 0 of operative 'eng'la'gement wit the teeth 11 of the ratchet F after a predetermined preliminary upward movement of the float or device G. The shield K shown is stationaril secured to the bearing plate d'-. 4 'flv hen the gate 0 is open the float or do:

vice G will hang downwardly in a more or less vertical position, as shown in. the upper part of Fi 3, and" the pawl I will be held by the shie d K out of engagement with the teeth 71 of theratchet disk F.', The material can then flow freely through the discharge opening a of the chamber controlled'by the gate into the chamber below. The float or device G rides on the surface of the material in the lower chamber and gradually 75 swings upwardly as the depth of the mate-' ,rial increases, but the gate remains sta- .tionary in its wide open position until the float or device G is raised high enough. to

:move the pawl I off of the shield K and 30 into engagement with the first tooth i of the ratchet disk F. In any further upward I movement of the float or devic G the pawl Y will turn the ratchet disk F and gate shaft D, thereby swinging, the gate upwardly. 5' After the floater device G has been thus I raised high enough to, bring the pawl into action, each time one of the sweeps or Y "stirrers B passes beneath'the float the sur- '1 face wave or ridge in the material, caused by the sweep,.lifts the float upwardly a short pletely closed, Thus after the evel of the material has risen high enough to bring the pawl 1 into action the gate will be raised, without the necessity for any further rise in. I the level of the material, by the intermittent movements produced by the action of the waves on the float until the gate is iul'lyv closed. The gate'therefore remains wide open and permitsa free discharge of the material until the desired depth is attained,

and is then promptly and positively closed. The teeth 11 are preferably so' located on the ratchet disk that the first tooth will be just in front of theshield ready to be engaged by the pawl I when the gate is wide open, and that the gate will be closed tightly n when the pawl has moved the ratchet by en gagement with the last tooth Consequentl if the oscillation ofxthe float or device by the waves continues after the gate has-1 20 5 been shut tight, the pawl will oscillate idly without injury to the mechanism. I

By adjusting the.pawl I forwardly-or.

backwardly onthe pawl carrier I-Lrelatiire to the shield -K, it can be brought-into action 126 by a less or greater u ward'movement of'the float, so that the dept to which thematerial accumulates can be regulated as desired by a proper adjustment of the pawl. The pawl I can also, if desired, be adjusted relative jto' 13o that-disclosed inthe before-mentioned pat e'nt:"w-.-. y v L represents. a trip rod connected to a leverv l 'andadapted to engage and release the latch E of- 'the first gate G. The lever Z can be actuated by hand. Pivoted to the 'ratchet disk F for this first gate is a trip v rod M; for the latch of the next gate abo've. =When the first gate is closed the rod M engages and releases the latch for the second gate. .In'allike' manner the latch for the third gateds released by a trip rod connected tothe ratchet disk of the second gate, each gate thus acting, when closed, to trip the latch for the next gate above. When a gate-swings open an eccentric portion a on its ratchet disk moves the trip rod from be- Qneath the latch for this gate so as to render thelatch-operative to'hold the gate when it Soisagainclosed; t -I claim as my invention I EThecombination with a plurality of chambers arranged to permit material to discharge from one chamber into another, 85 and a'fgate which controls the discharge of the material from one chamber to the other, of a device for closing said gate, the action of which is governed by the quantity of material in the receiving chamber, and ratchet 4,0v mechanism through which said closing device actuates the gate. I

' 2; The combination with a plurality of chambers arranged to permit material to discharge from one chamber into another, 4'5 and a gate'which controls the discharge of the material from one chamber to the other, of a device for closing said gate, the action of which is governed by the quantity of material' in the receiving chamber, and mechanismoperated by said closing device for closing said gate by successive. intermittent movements.

3. The combination with a plurality of chambers arranged to permit material to .56 discharge from one chamberinto another, and a gate which controls the discharge of the material from one .chamber to the other, of a device for closing said gate, automatic means which set said closing device in action, and mechanism operated by successive movements of said closing device for closing '5 discharge from one chamber into another,

:and a gate which controls "the discharge of Y the material from. one chamber. to the other, of a device actuated by the material accumulating in the receiving chamber for closing said gate, and mechanism operated. by successive movements of said closing device for closing said gate. J

5. The combination with a plurality of chambers arranged to permit materialfto discharge from one chamber into another, and a. gate which controls the discharge of the material from one chamber to thefother, of a device actuated by the material accumulating in the receiving chamber forclosing said gate, and ratchet mechanism operatively connecting said closing device to said gate. I i i v 6. The combination with a plurality of chambers arranged to permit material to discharge from cnechamber into another, and a gate which controls-the discharge of the material from'one chamber to the-other, of a device for closing said gate which is caused to oscillate by the material accumulating in the receiving chamber, and mechanism op- 90 eratcd, by successive movements .of said closing device for closing said gate.

7. The combination with a plurality...'of chambers arranged to permit -mat'eria' l,'- tof discharge from one chamber'into anothe'rfQE and a gate which controls the discharge'o-f I the material from one chamber to the other, of a device for closing said gate which-,rides on the material accumulating in the rceiv ing chamber, means for causing a wave in the material for oscillating said'closi'ng device, and means operated by the oscillation' of said closing device for closing .the gate.

8. The combination with a plurality of chambers arranged to permit'material to .105 discharge from one chamber into another, and a gate which controls the discharge of the material from one chamber to the other, of an automatically operated closing device for said gate, ratchet mechanism operatively connecting said closing device to said gate, and means for varying the action of said ratchet mechanism to regulate the depth of. the material in the re'ceiving'chamber.

9. The combination with a plurality f/115 chambers arranged to permit material to discharge from one chamber into another and a gate'whic'h controls the discharge 0% the material from one chamber to theother, of an automatically operated closing device for said. gate, ratchet mechanism operatively 7 connecting said closing device to said gate, and a latch for retaining the gate in the position to which itis moved by said closing device and ratchet mechanism. 125

10. The combination witha pluralit. of chambers arranged to permit material to discharge from one chamber into'another, and a gate which controls the discharge of 5 the material from one chamber to the other,

ref

of a device actuated by the material ac'cu-' mula'ting in the receiving chamber for closing said gate, ratchet mechanism operatively connecting saidclosing devioe'to said gate,"

and a latch for retaining'the gate in the osition to whichit is moved by saidclosmg device and ratchet mechanism.

11. The combination-with a plurali bf chambers arranged to permit materia to: discharge from one chamber 1ntoanother,'-j

gates .which control the discharge of material from said chambers,.closing devices for said gates, ratchet mechanisms operatively' connecting said closing devices" to said gates,

and means controlled by. the ratchet'mechaei nism for one gate for releasing another gate.

12. The combination with a plurality of chambers arranged to permit .material to discharge, from one chamber into another, gates which control the discharge of material from said chambers, closin'gdevices for said gates, ratchet mechanisms 'operatively connecting said closing devices to said gates,

latches for retainingsaid gates closedfand means controlled by the ratchet mechanism for one gate for releasing the latch for another gate. l i 13. The combination: with a pluralityof chambers arranged to permit material to discharge from one chamber into another, gates which control the discharge of material iro'm said chambers, and intermittently operating automatic mechanism fog;- closing said gates in succession. I

-, n4. The combination with'a plurality of chambers arranged to permit material to discharge. from one chamber into. another,

- gates w I rial from said chambers, intermittently opich control the discharge of matecrating automatic mechanism for closing ,4

saidkgates in succession, and mechanism for causingsaid gates to open in succession;

15. The combination with a plurallty' of chambers arrangedto permit material-to,

discharge from one chamber into: another and a gate which-controls the discharge of of a. device which is lifted by the; material -accumulating in the receiving chamber and v is oscillated'by. the material, a pawl'which is oscillated by said device, a ratchet disk which is comiected to said gate and is movedv the material from one chamber to the other,

by said pawl, and a'shield'which holds said pawl ofi'of said ratchet disk untilith e'ma-fterial accumulates to a predetermined depth a in the receiving chamber.

15. The combination WIth-Q plurality ofv chambers "arranged to permit 'material', to 1 discharge from one chamber into another,

and a gate which controlsithe discharge of c the material from one chamber to-the other, of a :device which-is 'liftedbyfthematerial 'accumulatinv in the receiving chamber and Witness my hand, this i znd'day trau a by saidfipawl, and a-shield which-holds s aid'flxl -of saidjratchet disk-unt l theEma-Q 

